Alvaro Bautista had another solid day in Sepang as testing continues in Malaysia, with the Spaniard proving a threat at the top before ending the day in third.

The former World Champion, who is riding a Ducati for the first time in the premier class in 2017, showed good pace on Day 1 and improved on his standing on Day 2 – but not quite his laptime.

The Spaniard put in a best time of 2:00.218 on Day 2, completing 49 laps despite early intrusions from damper weather.

“I’m happy because we’ve been very competitive and we’ve been able to complete everything we had programmed." Said Bautista who set the third fastest time on the second day of testing.

I like the engine a lot and my riding style is adapting to this bike. We still need to improve some things, but the base is very competitive."

"We tried a few things with electronics to utilize all the power and we found a few things that could be good in future."

"Our bike, although it’s from last year, has a good base because it has won races. Today was a complicated day in terms of waiting for the track to dry at about 2."

"There also wasn’t as much grip as yesterday and it was more difficult to get the same feeling – but that’s the same for everyone.”

Yamaha Maverick Vinales had another good day of testing in Malaysia on Tuesday, as the Spaniard went second quickest and proved the only other rider below the two minute barrier.

Behind leader Andrea Iannone, a 1:59.858 was Vinales’ fastest lap of 51, and the 2013 Moto3 World Champion again headed new teammate Valentino Rossi on the timesheets.

Vinales had another strong showing on day 2 and was pleased with his consistency in race trim

“Today we worked well, and I’m happy because we worked on race pace." Said Vinales

"At the end I tried to do a consistent run on race tyres and we were quite fast. I’m quite surprised."

The bike is working well and the issues we have with grip are improving every time." He added.

"If we focus on one lap we can be fast but we have to be fast over twenty laps. We did a good job and made a good step today."

"You always want to see your name first on the list but sometimes it’s more useful working on race pace.”

Yamaha Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco was beaten to the title of top rookie on the first day of testing at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

But the double Moto2 World Champion hit back on Day 2 to prove both fastest rookie and a top five contender after a stunning day of track time.

Ending the session in fifth after 50 laps, the Frenchman also led the way for a brief time as the track was drying – the first time he has done so in the premier class.

Teammate Folger, who was P7 on Day 1, ended Day 2 in ninth.

“Today was positive and I am happy about what the Tech3 team and I achieved together." Said the Frenchman

"It took a long time for the track to dry this morning and so to feel comfortable on the bike, I started the day on rain tyres."

Just like yesterday, it was useful to get some additional valuable experience in the wet and to gain more knowledge of the YZR-M1 in these conditions, plus I understood the grip levels well." He declared

"The team and I did some really good work today and when we started to use the slicks, I felt confident and I was able to ride consistently."

We put in the new tyre and every lap, I improved my personal best and also myself. It was a solid second day, but I still think that I need time and there are many things to control, yet, this will come with experience.”

Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo had a more difficult day at the office as testing began at Sepang International Circuit on Monday.

The Spanish lined up P17 on the timesheets. Day 2, after a slow start due to damp conditions, saw an incredible improvement for the ‘Spartan’ as Lorenzo leapt up to P8 and slotted in only hundredths behind new teammate Andrea Dovizioso.

The 2010, 2012 and 2015 MotoGP World Champion did 66 laps in the second session once the track began to dry, with a best of 2:00.484.

“I’m really happy with the progress." Said Lorenzo "Today I understand the bike a lot better and I can extract more performance from it, although I’m still a long way off my limits."

We’ve also improved the setting a bit. I’ve been able to evaluate what I thought was correct yesterday."

"I needed laps and time to get closer to the guys in front and to my limit with this bike.”